NEW YORK (PasseportSanté.net) February 15, 2007 – Forget the folklore images often associated with alternative medicine. Rather, it is a futuristic vision that emanated from some of the 100 stands at CAMEXPO1 from New York.
Here is an overview of the most recent devices in overall health and sometimes the most bizarre. A trend that contrasts, however, with the natural aspect of alternative medicine. Will it amplify or deflate over the years? It will surely depend on the popularity of these new products in the market.
While some manufacturers have taken the trouble to study their product, none have been independently researched.
Biofeedback: bringing the body closer to the mind
Several ailments that plague our current society – stress, anxiety, migraine, fibromyalgia, hypertension, etc. – could be relieved by biofeedback. This approach promotes the interaction between body and mind.
Biofeedback uses electronic or computer devices as learning or rehabilitation tools. These devices capture and amplify the information transmitted by the body (body temperature, heart rate, muscle resistance, brain waves, etc.) and translate them into auditory or visual signals.
This technique is still not very accessible, both in the United States and in Canada due to the limited number of specialists in the field. Sensing the need, the global health industry already offers tools and computer programs based on the principles of biofeedback. Here are some examples.
the Stress is a small tool for relaxation that can be taken anywhere … where stress can occur. Its operation is simple: an index is inserted into a sensor and a luminous electronic graphic indicates, in real time, the evolution of the heartbeat. The goal is to encourage the user to focus on their breathing and synchronize it with their heartbeats.
the Resperate, which looks like a walkman, also works according to the principles of the body-mind approach. Emitting a tempo adapted to the user, it encourages them to breathe more deeply and reduce the frequency of their breaths. The manufacturer has done seven clinical trials with 286 people with hypertension. According to its results, after eight weeks of use, patients saw their systolic and diastolic pressures reduced.
There is also software that would facilitate “body-mind” interactions. Those offered by the American company WildDivine combine the science of biofeedback with multimedia. Using a digital device connected to three fingers, the software continuously measures the vital and energetic signs of the user. New age images and music encourage meditation, while training the user to think positive thoughts.
Free yourself from your toxins!
The ubiquity of toxins in the environment is one of the main concerns of advocates for global health. They are everywhere around us: in the air, in food, in personal hygiene products and cosmetics … No wonder the natural health industry is looking to develop more and more products. or so-called “detoxifying” devices. Two types of sauna, including a rather bizarre one, caught our attention.
the Sunlight Sauna combines the elimination of toxins and light therapy. This aromatic cedar cabin is heated by a carbon device and is equipped with infrared lighting that causes intense perspiration. In addition, this lighting simulates the brightness of the sun. The manufacturer claims that his sauna helps lower blood pressure and improve mood.
the Detoxamerica, which looks like a tent, is presented as a portable minisauna that you can use almost anywhere – where you don’t want to go unnoticed! In addition to its infrared rays that make you sweat, it is equipped with a purifying ozone generator. Ozone would reduce the volume of fat cells by ridding them of toxins, hence the slimming effect claimed by the manufacturer.
The jellyfish: a fountain of youth?
Slowing aging is also one of the major concerns of manufacturers of natural products. A supplement made from jellyfish protein, Prevagen Professional, would have anti-aging virtues. According to the manufacturer, the type jellyfish Aequorea Victoria, found in the Pacific Ocean, is rich in calcium protein. These would protect cells against aging.
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To read the other texts concerning CAMEXPO, consult the index. |
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. New York City hosted the CAMEXPO International Exhibition from February 8-10, 2007, which showcases the latest trends in the global health industry. Almost a thousand people, mostly doctors and therapists from various backgrounds, attended the event.
